Baffle



Nov. 30, 1943. F. D. BERKEQLEY ET AL I BAFFLE Filed Oct. 17, 1941 V P atented Novr30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,335,475

RAFFLE.

Frederick 1). Berkeley, Chappaqua, and Edward A. Bertram, Mount Vernon, N. Y., assignors to The Lummus Company, New York, hi. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October; 17, 1941,"Serlal No. 415,368

a (cl.

Thisinventlon relates to improvements in shell A and tube type heat exchangers and more particularly to an internal baiile construction therefor.

.been provided to more nearly obtain true countercurrent'flow of the two fluids and to increase the distance of flow oi. the external fluid between the inlet and the outlet; and numerous patents have been granted for various types of mechanical devices for assisting in sealing the joint between the edges of the baflle and thewall of the shell. Many of these devices, however are inefiicient and permit objectionable lay-passing of the external fluid from inlet to outlet, and all have proved to be complicated and expensive.

It is the principal object of our present invention to provide a simplified construction for assuring a leak-proof joint between a longitudinal baflle and the interior of the shell and tube heat exchanger, which construction is without mechanical complications and requires the minimum of shell modification.

More specifically, we provide simplified means of a detail of the securing mechanism as would appear from an enlargement of a section taken at the lefthand side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section 'taken'substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is an end view, with parts broken away,

taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4

showing the arrangement of the pacl ring.

' In accordance with our invention, the heat exchanger shell in is generally a cylindrical member (although the construction will be equally as efiective with any other closed shape) containing atubebundle, generally indicated at l2, consisting of a plurality of tubes which at one end are suitably anchored in the fixed tube sheet l4 "and at the other end are fixed to the floating tube sheet 15. As is well understood in the art,

for drawing a 'gasket carried by a longitudinal Y baiile in a shell and tube heat exchanger to the shell wall, which means are operated from the exterior ofthe shellbulrin such a positive manner that tightness can be obtained to the desired degree; I I

Another object 'ofthe invention is to provide a removable longitudinal baflle fora shell and tube type heat exchanger'in which the body portion of the baflle extends substantially across the shelld body and is provided with movable marginal sealing gaskets in sealed relation with the baflle and movable into 'sealedrelatiomwith the shell wall by external positively actuated members.- Further objects and advantages of our inven- "tion will appear from the following disclosure ofa preferred form of embodiment thereof taken in connection withv the attached drawing illustrative thereof, in which;

, Fig. 1 is a substantially horlzontalcross-sec- 1 tion taken substantially along the line l-l of Fig. 2, with parts broken away, showing the internal construction of a heat exchanger provided with our improved balile;

Fig. 2 is a substantially vertical cross -section taken on the line 2 -2 of Fig. 1; r

' Fig. 3 is a plan'vlew, with parts brokenaway,

the fixed tube sheet I4 is generally secured between flanges IT on the shell and on the channel 18, and the floating tube sheet [6 is provided with the floating tube sheet cover l9 secured in any suitable or preferred manner thereto.

Although the openings to the channel l8 are not shown, it is to be understood that'a flow of liquid takes place through,the tubes in the tube bundle I2 and that heat is exchanged with such liquid by the passage of a second fluid across the outside surface of the tubes. This object is ac-- complished by circulation of the second -fluid through the inlet and outlet nozzles 2| and 22., It isthe purpose of the longitudinal baflle, gener-' ally indicated at 24, to provide the desired flow of the external fluid and at the same time to prevent; the by-pass of the external fluid between the nozzles 2| and 22 in the passage of such fluid from one end of the tube bundle to the other.

.The bafile 24 is thus to be understood to be a longitudinally extending battle which, for the purpose of our invention, is also removable in order that the tube bundle can be removedfrom the. shell for cleaning and for repair. It is not necessary, however, that the baflle 26 be located at the major diameter or greatest'widthof the shell; for, if desired, more than one baflle may be used in the same manner, and they may readily be spaced from the plane of the greatest width of the shell. In accordance with preferably comprises two face plates 25 and 28 which are constructed :of relatively thin gage sheet materialgand which are suitably spaced from each other by means of a central spacer bar v 2'! that is suitably welded or otherwise secured to the respective face plates as. at 2la.' 1The bafile 3 24 :is arranged to engage thgipside' of the-flxed our invention, the bafile 24 tube sheet 14 and is suitably cutaway at ms;

the opposite end to provide for the flow. oi the a external fluid.

Although the baflie 24 is normally the full width which can be permitted in the'shell, it is necessary to have adequate clearance for the removal the length or the shell on each edge of the baflie is so great as to allow enough by-passing of fluid between inlet and outlet as to substantially nullify the eifect of the baflle. A considerably higher.

heat exchange eflicie'ncy can be obtained if substantially all by-passing of .the fluid is prevented.

We prevent this by-pas'sing and effectively seal the baiiie to the shell by providing on each side of the baflle along the length thereof a sealing bar or yoke 28 which abuts against a channelshaped gasket-carrying element 29 as shown in Fig. 4. The yoke and channel extendbetween the respective plates25 and 26 of the baflle 24, and a packing 3o secured in the channel 29 as by any suitable means extends outwardly thereof. As hereinafter described, the packing 30 is forced against the inner wall of the shell III for the desired seal.

The yoke 28 is preferably drawn toward the wall "I, of the shell in accordance with our invention by means 01' suitable. studs 32 extending through suitable apertures in the shell wall. These studs e age in blocks 34 which'are suitablvwelded or otherwise secured as at 35 tofithe yoke 23. At the respective locationsoi the studs 32, the plates 25 and 26- are cut away so that the block 34 may beer a sufliciently large'size'to permit tapping for the studs 32. The packing 30 extends up over the block 34, however, and nearly reaches the shank of the studs 32 so that there is little or no possible space through which the external fluid can by-p'ass.

Inasmuch as a similar yoke is provided oneach of the respective sides or the baiiie 24, by

appropriate spacing of the studs 32, it is'p'osslble to apply an effective pressure on each of .the channels 29 carrying the packing 30 to mom-- pllsh the desired seal. The yoke may be slightly tri n ular in shape to afford a good beam structure. 1

Both yoke 23 and channel member 23 are made relatively tightly fitting with respect to face plates 25 and 26. In this manner a substantially leak-proof construction is provided, and the channel member 23 is brought into substantially leak-proof relationwith respect to the longitu .dinal edge or the baiiie as pressure is applied to the yoke 28 through studs 32. At the same time are provided with the usual caps or plates so that, after adjustment or the baiile is made, the nozzles can be hermetically closed to avoid any leaks.

'It will be understood that the studs32 are inserted to the desired point in the heat exchanger shell; and then, by screwing-down. on the studs, the yoke is drawn outward until the seal has been completed.

With such a construction there are no parts that can he objectionably disturbed by changes temperature within the shell, and there are no complicated mechanisms to become out of order; and effective sealing is readily accom-- plished and permanently retained. ;The baflle the studs, and then the from the shell. a v

While we have shown and described a preferred form of embodiment of our invention, we are baflle can be removed aware that modifications may be made therein;

and we, therefore, desire a broad interpretation or our invention within the spirit of the description herein and of the claims appended herein- We claim: V

1. In a heat exchanger having a. longitudinal tube-containing shell, a longitudinal baille dividing the interior of said shell, packing along the lon itudinal edges of said baflie and engaging the inner longitudinal wall of the-shell to form a seal between the baflle-and said'wall, backing bars for said packing borne by the baflie for shifting transversely relatively to the latter toward and 5 from said wall, and draw devices anchored to said bars at points spaced alongthe latter, said wall having apertures spaced along said baffle edges for reach of said draw devices therethrough to the exterior of the shell and said draw devices being operable at the exterior of the exchanger for drawing and holding said backing bars outward to force and hold the packing against the shell wall, said draw devices being also operable from the exterior of the exchanger for disconnectlon from the backing bars and withdrawal outward through said apertures to thereby release the baflle for endwise withdrawal from the shell.

2. In a heat exchanger having a. longitudinal 49 tube-containing shell, a longitudinal baflle divid- 8 the interior of said shell, packing along the longitudinal'edges of said baflle and-engaging the inner'wall longitudinal of the shell to form a seal between the baffle and said wall, backing bars for said packing borne by the baiiie for shifting transversely relatively 'to the .latter toward and from said wall, draw devices-anchored .to said bars at points spaced along the 1mm, said wall having apertures spaced along said bafile edges for reach of said draw devices therethrough to the exterior of the shell and said draw devices exterior of the shell to cover said aperturesand the outer portions of said draw devices and prevent leakage from the shell, said draw-devices being also operable at the exterior of the exchanger for disconnection from the backing. bars and withdrawal through said apertures to thereby release the baflle for endwise withdrawal from the shell.

3. In a heat exchanger having a shell, a baiiie 2 within said shell, packing to seal said baflle along an edge thereof to an opposedwall of the shell, a backing member for said packing borne-by the bailie to shift relatively to the latter toward and from said, wall and a draw device anchored to said backing member, said shell wali having an aperture in direct opposition to said edge of the bailie for reach of said draw device therethrough to the exterior'ot the shell and the draw device being operable from the exterior of the exchanger may be' readily unsealed, however, ,by removing to draw and hold said baekingmember outward and thereby force and hold the packing against the shell wall. i

- 4. In a heat exchanger having a shell, a baiiie within said shell, packing to seal said bafile along an edge thereof to an opposed wall of the shell, a backing member for said packing borne by the battle to shift relatively to the latter toward and from said wall and having a screw-threaded bore opening-through said edge of the heme and toward said wall, the wall having an aperture aligning with said bore, anda screw having a head outside of the shell to bear against an abutment at the exterior of the shell and a shank ex-, tending through said aperture and screw-engaged with said bore, whereby said backing mem- 5 -ber,is advanceable outward to force and hold said packing against the shell wall by turning said screw from the exterior of the shell.

5. In a heat exchanger having a shell, 9. baflle, within said shell, packing to seal said baflle along an edge thereof to an opposed wall of the shell, a backing member -for said packing borne by the baiile to shift relatively to the latter toward and from said wall and having a screw-threaded bore opening through said edge and toward said wall, the wall having an aperture aligning with said bore, and a screw having a head outside of the shell to bear against an abutment at the exterior of the shell and a shank extending through said aperture and screw-engaged with said bore, whereby said backing member is advanceable outward to force and hold said packing against the shell wall by turning said screw from the exterior of the shell, a nozzle borne by said shell at the exterior thereof and surrounding said aperture and said screw head, and a releasable closure for said nozz1e.

6. In a heat exchanger having a tubular shell, a longitudinal baille within said shell and comprising a pair of parallel plates secured in spaced relation, channel members closely and shiftably fitted between said plates and extending along opposite longitudinal edges of the latter and opening laterally toward the inner longitudinal wall of the shell, packing fitted in said channel members and engaging said shell wall to eflect seals between said baflle edges and wall, backing beams disposed between said plates and located back of said channel members respectively and each bodily and tiltably movable in the plane of the baffle, each of said beams having a pair of screw-threaded bores spaced therealong and opening through the respective one of said edges and toward the shell wall, and the wall having apertures aligning with said bores, and bolts havmg heads outside of the exchanger to engage an abutment at the exterior of the shell and'shanks a flat longitudinal baflle said shell wall, said 3 extending inward through said apertures and screw-engaged with said bores, whereby said packing is advanceable outward to force and hold it against the shell wall by turning said screws from the exterior of the exchanger and whereby said bolts are operable at the exterior of the exchanger for disconnection from the said beams and withdrawal outward through saitl apertures to free the baflle for endwise withdrawal from the shell.

7. In a heat exchanger unit including a: longitudinal fluid-receiving shell, tubes .within said shell and removable through an end of the latter and channel means for circulating fluid through said tubes, a longitudinal baflle in said shell, seal- ,ing means borne by said baflle along opposite longitudinal edges thereof for shifting into sealing engagement with the inner longitudinal wall means operaltively oi the shell, and adjusting connected to the said sealing means for forcing and holding the latter in sealing engagement with said shell wall, said shell wall being apertured to accommodate said adjusting means and the latter extending outward from the shell for operation from the exterior of the heat exchanger unit to efiect said sealing-engagement and for the exterior of the unit for the sealing means and rebafifle for endction from traction from the shell to free the wise withdrawal with the tubes.

8. In a heat exchanger having a tubular shell, within said shell, sealing means extending along the opposite longitudinal edges of said baiiie and borne thereby within the plane thereof for shifting transversely outward of said baiile edges and into contact with the opposed longitudinal side wall of the shell, backing means for the sealing means borne by the baflle within the 'plane thereof for shifting outwardly relatively to the baille and transversely of said baffle edges to press said sealing means against backing means having screwthreaded bores within the plane of the baflle and opening outward through said edges and toward said shell wall and the latter having apertures in alignment with said bores, respectively, and bolts said apertures and screw-engaged in said bores for drawing said backing means outwardly to compress and hold said sealing means against said shell wall, said bolts being retractable from the interior of the shell through said apertures after unscrewing from said bores, to permit endwise withdrawal of the baffle from the shell.

FREDERICK D. BERKELE EDWARD A. BER'I'RAM.

- mm io zgss.m9.

clam-moms 0F commoner. Y 1v .F E s 19 1;. I Fmzn'mua: 1); 1312mm, m in.

It is hereby certified that error app'ea i'o in the'print ed-apeciflontioh ot the above mmbered .patent requiring correction as .followa: agq 1, first; ooh yon, line 214., afltor "ahell insert --of a. -ahel1-; page a ocond coirumri 11m 15., claim 2', for 'innar'wali longitudinal or; w men tofom 1 oegil'f rsad' -1nner.1on'g1tud1na1' wall of the ph oll (50 tom '0. soul"; and

flmozh mid Letters Patent; should be ram with this corro'qtioh therein thja'tjhe a'ame may contom to the, record of the case tithe Potent; Ofl'ico.

signed and. aealed this. lat dog or February; 5, D. 19M

. V flour 'Wn Agenda, H (Seal). Acting commiaaionor otratmts. 

